AFTER a three-week break, Upton returned to rugby and league business on Saturday at Redditch.

REDDITCH 28pts, UPTON 13pts

Redditch have been playing on one of their lesser pitches whilst major development work has denied them the use of their usual 1st XV pitch but following heavy use and overnight rain, the game was transferred to the re-instated 1st XV pitch to everyone's relief.

Redditch kicked off with the benefit of a slight following cross-wind and down the slope. Upton fielded the ball but lost possession on the 22 and No 10 Williams hacked on to score a try under the posts and he added the conversion to lead 7-0.

Upton replied immediately through their forwards, with one of their trademark rolling mauls. Matt Bookham won the ball at the lineout on Redditch's 22 and the forwards drove at some pace over the try line for Upton's Mark Symington to emerge with the ball and five points.

The play showed that both teams were somewhat rusty and it was obvious that time was necessary to synchronise tactics. Which-ever team would get sorted first was going to be in the driving seat. It turned out to be Redditch, allied to their knowledge of the infamous Redditch pitch, who put the next score on the board and it turned out to be identical to the first with Williams adding another seven points for 14-5.

Upton were getting their act together and worked their way back up field with good linking by Melvyn Hill, Ollie Jones and Rob Wynn. When Redditch could only stop the move by illegal means they were penalised in front of the posts and Rob Healey added three points for 14-8.

At half time with only a six point deficit and with the advantages to come, Upton seemed set to go forward but they didn't have any control of a poor offside decision at the restart which allowed Redditch's winger Jones to race in from 30 metres to score and Williams converted for 21-8.

This put a dent in Upton's confidence and passes started to go astray when Redditch reverted to their tried and tested policy of kicking long range speculative balls across field. From one such kick, left winger Parry gathered the ball and rounded two defenders to score and Williams converted for 28-8.

In the last 20 minutes coach Ron Hobbs made some positional changes and sent on fresh legs in Raymond, Mills and Banwell. The result was one more try, scored by the now hooker Healey but Upton are still up with the leaders.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Upton are away to Stourbridge in a North Midlands Shield match and the second XV are home to Pershore.